35 Intriguing Teams for Next Season
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Before we head off to grassroots we want to take a quick look ahead to next high school basketball season. Here are 35 Intriguing Teams for Next Season at this stage! We have broken them down into 10 different categories. …
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Continue ReadingBefore we head off to grassroots we want to take a quick look ahead to next high school basketball season. Here are 35 Intriguing Teams for Next Season at this stage! We have broken them down into 10 different categories. Reminder this is BEFORE THE TRANSFER PORTAL and freshman enrolling! This will change a lot!
Defending Champs
Homewood Flossmoor
Let’s start with the defending 4A champions. They will return the top ranked junior in state who played like it in the second half of the season in Bryce Heard Bryce Heard 6'6" | SG Homewood Flossmoor | 2025 State #86 Nation IL . He will have a running mate in Jayden Tayler at the point. Look for Ryan Clemmons and Jacob Thompson Jacob Thompson 6'5" | PF Homewood Flossmoor | 2026 State IL to be new names that emerge.
DePaul Prep
The 3A champs return a lot as well. Their star guard Makai Kvamme Makai Kvamme 6'0" | PG DePaul Prep | 2025 State IL and Robert Walls Robert Walls 6'2" | PG DePaul Prep | 2025 State IL will be the cornerstone along with the inside play of Rashaun Porter Rashaun Porter 6'6" | PF DePaul Prep | 2026 State IL and getting Jonas Johnson Jonas Johnson 6'6" | PF DePaul Prep | 2025 State IL back healthy. AJ Chambers AJ Chambers 6'0" | SG DePaul Prep | 2026 State IL is the x-factor.
Phillips
The Chicago team in 2A won the crown led by newly minted top 10 2025
EJ Horton
EJ
Horton
6'2" | PG
Phillips | 2025
State
IL
who proved to be a dynamic scorer and passer.
Amari Edwards
Amari
Edwards
5'8" | PG
Phillips | 2025
State
IL
and
Phoenix Childs
Phoenix
Childs
6'4" | SF
Phillips | 2025
State
IL
also return.
Elite 2027s Lead the Way
Kenwood
It wasn’t how Kenwood wanted to end last season, but if they get what they have to return it should be a dynamite team next year. In the postseason Devin Cleveland Devin Cleveland 6'2" | PG Kenwood | 2027 IL showed he is a legit national prospect as a freshman. They have one of the most versatile prospects in the state in Aleks Alston Aleks Alston 6'9" | PF Kenwood | 2025 State #170 Nation IL and when Rajan Roberts Rajan Roberts 6'2" | PG Kenwood | 2026 State IL is given the green light to score he can go!
Bolingbrook
Davion Thompson Davion Thompson 6'2" | SG Bolingbrook | 2027 IL was spectacular for Bolingbrook as a freshman. The lefty scored anyway he wanted whenever he wanted. That was combined with the biggest 2025 stock booster in the state in JT Pettigrew JT Pettigrew 6'8" | C Bolingbrook | 2025 State IL inside. Trey Brost Trey Brost 5'10" | PG Bolingbrook | 2026 State IL can really shoot it!
Warren
Jaxson Davis
Jaxson
Davis
6'1" | PG
Warren | 2027
IL
more than lived up to the hype. He went for 40+ in a 17U AAU game last spring. Then he seemed to get better each and every time out all season.
Immanuel Brown
Immanuel
Brown
6'4" | SG
Warren | 2025
State
IL
and
Javerion Banks
Javerion
Banks
6'1" | SG
Warren Township | 2025
State
IL
provide him with running mates on the wings.
Juniors Ready to Take Lead
Marist
The Marist group is led by 2025s inside/outside duo Stephen Brown Stephen Brown 6'7" | PF Marist | 2026 State IL and Adoni Vasilakis. Two of the best in the state at what they do. TJ Tate TJ Tate 5'7" | PG Marist | 2026 State IL is a spark plug while seniors Achillies Anderson Achillies Anderson 6'4" | SF Marist | 2025 State IL and Marquis Vance Marquis Vance 6'3" | SF Marist | 2025 State IL do the dirty work!
Rockford Auburn
Amir Danforth
Amir
Danforth
6'1" | SG
Rockford Auburn | 2026
State
IL
is a potential breakout star with what he can do as shooter and defender
Champ Parker
Champ
Parker
6'0" | PG
Rockford Auburn | 2026
State
IL
,
Brian Harper
Brian
Harper
5'10" | PG
Rockford Auburn | 2026
State
IL
, and
Mikwan Marshall
Mikwan
Marshall
5'10" | PG
Rockford Auburn | 2026
State
IL
are all sophomores that are primed to make leap as juniors.
New Trier
New Trier made a deep run in the tournament this year. They will look for point guard Christopher Kirkpatrick Christopher Kirkpatrick 6'3" | PG New Trier | 2026 State IL and sharp shooter Danny Houlihan Danny Houlihan 6'4" | SF New Trier | 2026 State IL to turn into stars.
Depth of Prospects
Whitney Young
Whitney Young has so many dudes!
Antonio Munoz
Antonio
Munoz
6'6" | SF
Whitney Young | 2025
State
#194
Nation
IL
is a top 5 senior that uses his athleticism to impact in so many ways. Their sophomore class of
Marquis Clark
Marquis
Clark
6'2" | PG
Whitney Young | 2026
State
IL
,
Nasir Rankin
Nasir
Rankin
6'2" | SG
Whitney Young | 2026
State
IL
,
Rykan Woo
Rykan
Woo
6'1" | PG
Whitney Young | 2026
State
IL
, and Rico D’Allesandro all got valuable experience this past year and are ready to shine. 2027 small forward
Howard Williams
Howard
Williams
6'5" | SF
Whitney Young | 2027
IL
has star potential.
Romeoville
Best group of prospects Romeoville has had in a while. Veterans along with upside.
EJ Mosley
EJ
Mosley
6'0" | PG
Romeoville | 2025
State
IL
will provide stability,
Damion Porter
Damion
Porter
6'4" | SF
Romeoville | 2025
State
IL
toughness on the wing,
Mickeis Johnson
Mickeis
Johnson
6'3" | SG
Romeoville | 2026
State
IL
is the bucket getter. Inside
Adam Walker
Adam
Walker
6'10" | C
Romeoville | 2025
State
IL
and
Jayden Madden
Jayden
Madden
6'9" | C
Romeoville | 2026
State
IL
can emerge as one of the best duos in the state.
St. Laurence
Zerrick Johnson
Zerrick
Johnson
6'2" | PG
St. Laurence | 2025
State
IL
is the top returner. Power guard that can get buckets
Caleb Lindsey
Caleb
Lindsey
6'5" | SF
St. Laurence | 2025
State
IL
,
Khalil Jones
Khalil
Jones
5'11" | PG
St. Laurence | 2025
State
IL
,
Markese Peoples
Markese
Peoples
6'1" | PG
St. Laurence | 2027
IL
, and
Reggie Stevens
Reggie
Stevens
6'1" | PG
St Laurence | 2027
IL
all will play key roles in elevating this team to a CCL contender.
Benet
Benet has a superstar in Gabriel Sularski Gabriel Sularski 6'5" | SF Lemont | 2026 State IL . The top junior in the state will be flanked by a big front line of Daniel Pauliukonis Daniel Pauliukonis 6'8" | SF Benet | 2025 State IL and Colin Stack Colin Stack 6'9" | C Benet | 2026 State IL . In the backcourt they have two rock solid guards in Brayden Fagbemi and Jayden Wright Jayden Wright 5'11" | PG Benet | 2026 State IL that can run a team and shoot.
Central Illinois Beasts
Quincy
Quincy loses a couple key seniors, but they return a ton of talent too including star point guard
Bradley Longcor
Bradley
Longcor
6'3" | PG
Quincy | 2025
State
#337
Nation
IL
and double double threat
Keshaun Thomas
Keshaun
Thomas
6'5" | PF
Quincy | 2025
State
IL
.
Dominique Clay
Dominique
Clay
6'4" | SF
Quincy | 2025
State
IL
is primed for a massive senior year and
Kamren Wires
Kamren
Wires
5'9" | PG
Quincy | 2025
State
IL
will take over at the point for his brother.
Mt. Zion
Mt. Zion reached the final four last year with just one loss. They will take that experience into next year behind sharp shooter Lyncoln Koester Lyncoln Koester 6'3" | SG Mt. Zion | 2025 State IL along with football superstars Brayden Trimble Brayden Trimble 6'2" | SG Mt. Zion | 2025 State IL and JC Anderson JC Anderson 6'7" | C Mt. Zion | 2026 State IL who are legit hoopers!
Moline
Braden Freeman Braden Freeman 6'6" | SF Moline | 2025 State IL and Treyvon Taylor Treyvon Taylor 6'4" | PF Moline | 2025 State IL learned last year how to be leaders as juniors after being role players on the state title team. They will get help from a trio of young guards in Wood Cary Wood Cary 6'1" | PG Moline | 2026 State IL , Arthur Abbey, and Brady Welch.
Momentum Carrying over from Last Year
St. Patrick
St. Pat’s made a run late in the season. EJ Breland EJ Breland 6'0" | PG St. Patrick | 2025 State IL is an effortless scorer. Nevaeh Hawkins Nevaeh Hawkins 6'7" St. Patrick | 2025 State IL brings the energy and athleticism.
Dekalb
Davon Grant
Davon
Grant
6'5" | SF
Dekalb | 2026
State
IL
became a monster with his play during the second half of the season.
Sean Reynolds
Sean
Reynolds
6'1" | SG
Dekalb | 2025
State
IL
is one of the top scoring guards in the state. Those two will carry them.
Lincoln Park
It was a great start to the season for Lincoln Park in major part to Chayse Turner Chayse Turner 6'4" | SF Lincoln Park | 2025 State IL . Keyshawn Barfield Keyshawn Barfield 6'8" | C Lincoln Park | 2025 State IL brings a presence inside while Ahmad Lee Ahmad Lee 6'2" | SG Lincoln Park | 2026 State IL and Larry Harris Larry Harris 6'2" | SG Lincoln Park | 2026 State IL had breakout sophomore campaigns.
Simeon
Late in the season Simeon had it rolling in the city playoffs and state tournament.
Lorenzo Shields
Lorenzo
Shields
6'2" | PG
Simeon | 2025
State
IL
is back as the senior leader with a plethora of sophomore weapons in
Andre Tyler
Andre
Tyler
6'4" | SG
Simeon | 2026
State
IL
,
Kassidy Nelson
Kassidy
Nelson
6'5" | SF
Simeon | 2026
State
IL
, and
Isaiah Coleman
Isaiah
Coleman
6'6" | PF
Simeon | 2026
State
IL
.
They Have A Star
St. Ignatius
When you have one of the best players in the state you are in any game.
Phoenix Gill
Phoenix
Gill
6'3" | SG
St. Ignatius | 2025
State
#72
Nation
IL
does that for St. Ignatius. Top 5 prospect can take over games!
Chris Bolte
Chris
Bolte
6'5" | PF
St. Ignatius | 2026
State
IL
is a sleeper post to track in 2026.
Manual
Dietrich Richardson Dietrich Richardson 6'6" | PG Peoria Manual | 2025 State #177 Nation IL is the man for Manual. He has a massive ceiling and we will see if he breaks out over the next few months. Joshua Humbles Joshua Humbles 6'1" | SG Peoria Manual | 2026 State IL and Tony Bradford Tony Bradford 6'1" | PG Peoria Manual | 2026 State IL are 2026s that will help.
Metamora
This squad loses almost everyone, but they do return Matthew Zobrist Matthew Zobrist 6'5" | SG Metamora | 2025 State IL who is among the best wings in the state’s 2025 class.
Bradley Bourbonnais
Nick Allen Nick Allen 6'9" | C Bradley Bourbonnais | 2025 State IL made major strides as a junior and the big man is ready to anchor his squad next year.
West Aurora
Terrence Smith Terrence Smith 6'5" | SF West Aurora | 2025 State #299 Nation IL is a two sport star that has the upside to become one of the breakout stars of high school next year.
2025 Guards That Broke Out and Can Carry Team
Crystal Lake South
The combination of
AJ Demirov
AJ
Demirov
6'0" | PG
Crystal Lake South | 2025
State
IL
and path in the playoff will make this team dangerous!
Waubonsie Valley
This squad was one of the last in Illinois to lose. Tyreek Coleman Tyreek Coleman 6'2" | PG Waubonsie Valley | 2025 State IL was a major reason why as he broke out at the point!
Guards and Wings Galore
Niles North
Yaris Irby
Yaris
Irby
5'10" | PG
Niles North | 2025
State
IL
and
Reid Olson
Reid
Olson
6'0" | PG
Niles North | 2025
State
IL
are going to be one of the most fun backcourts in the state next year with their shot making and flair for the game.
Hunter Gawron
Hunter
Gawron
6'6" | PF
Niles North | 2025
State
IL
brings bounce around the hoop.
Lincoln Way East
The quartet of
Brent Taylor
Brent
Taylor
6'3" | SG
Lincoln Way East | 2025
State
IL
,
Brendan Sanders
Brendan
Sanders
6'3" | SF
Lincoln Way East | 2025
State
IL
,
Karson Thomas
Karson
Thomas
6'4" | SF
Lincoln Way East | 2026
State
IL
, and
BJ Powell
BJ
Powell
6'0" | PG
Lincoln Way East | 2026
State
IL
are primed to put up a lot of points!
Joliet West
Zion Gross
Zion
Gross
6'3" | SG
Joliet West | 2025
State
IL
and
Aamir Shannon
Aamir
Shannon
6'3" | SG
Joliet West | 2026
State
IL
are versatile prospects that can put it in the hoop! Could they get Jeremiah back?
Mt. Carmel
Mt. Carmel lost a lot after a runner up finish at state. They will return 3 of their top 6 all being guards.
Cameron Thomas
Cameron
Thomas
6'3" | PG
Mount Carmel | 2025
State
IL
and
Noah Mister
Noah
Mister
6'1" | PG
Mt. Carmel | 2026
State
IL
will play mostly on the ball while
Grant Best
Grant
Best
6'3" | SG
Mt. Carmel | 2025
State
IL
is a high level perimeter scorer/shooter.
De La Salle
Ton of depth for De La Salle that we are excited to see emerge this upcoming season. The two we are most looking forward to seeing are Charles Barnes and
Morgan Travis
Morgan
Travis
5'11" | PG
De La Salle | 2026
State
IL
.
Underrated Group of Prospects
OPRF
OPRF was a #12 seed in their sectional last year, but we expect that to be a lot higher with the talent they return in
Alexander Vincent
Alexander
Vincent
6'8" | C
OPRF | 2025
State
IL
,
Justin Bowen
Justin
Bowen
6'5" | SF
Lincoln Park | 2025
State
IL
,
Alex Gossett
Alex
Gossett
6'4" | SF
OPRF | 2025
IL
, and Dominic Hale.
Stevenson
The Patriots flew under the radar most of last year. Like the big man with versatility in
Atticus Richmond
Atticus
Richmond
6'7" | PF
Stevenson | 2025
State
IL
along with quality ball handlers in
Aidan Bardic
Aidan
Bardic
6'3" | PG
Stevenson | 2025
State
IL
and
Rocco Pagliocca
Rocco
Pagliocca
6'1" | PG
Stevenson | 2026
State
IL
.
NEVER EVER COUNT THEM OUT
Curie
Curie lost almost everyone including star Carlos Harris Carlos Harris 6'1" | SG Curie | 2024 State #283 Nation IL , but never overlook Curie. Michael Oliver Michael Oliver 5'10" | PG Curie | 2026 State IL Jr will turn into a long distance bomber for his dad. Derrick Dowdell Derrick Dowdell 6'4" | SF Curie | 2025 State IL should take a step forward. Tough, hardnosed, team first, two way players will emerge all over the floor as always at Curie!